Senator George J. Mitchell launches Global Research Institute at Queen’s

Senator George J. Mitchell is today (Friday 24 June) launching one of Queen’s University’s Global Research Institutes, named in his honour.

The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice is the second of four Global Research Institutes to be launched at the University.

Global Research Institutes are the University’s flagships for interdisciplinary research in areas of major societal challenge.

The Institute, based in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, addresses the global challenge of building a peaceful, secure and inclusive world by bringing together unparalleled expertise on these issues. Researchers from fields as diverse as politics, mental health, planning and computer engineering come together with a focus on four research priority areas: legacy issues, justice and rights, security, ideology and beliefs.

The launch event, which will be attended by key players in the Good Friday Agreement, will begin with a discussion entitled: What next for Northern Ireland? It will include addresses from guest speakers Jonathan Powell and Tim O’Connor and will be chaired by Dr William Crawley.

It will be followed by addresses by the Senator and award-winning author Colum McCann, after which the Senator will unveil a plaque to mark the occasion.

Speaking ahead of the event, Senator George J. Mitchell, said: “Through research, education and civic engagement, the Institute aims to make a difference to the lives of ordinary people who are struggling with the aftermath of conflict by empowering them to realise fairness, justice and tolerance. The work of the Institute is vitally important in addressing some of the greatest global challenges of our time.”

Professor Patrick Johnston, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, said: “The Institute brings together a critical mass of excellent researchers from across the humanities and other disciplines to tackle some of the greatest global issues of our age. Critical thinking and leadership are traits which have served us well in our transition into peace in Northern Ireland and through this Institute we aim to continue to have a positive impact locally and globally. We are honoured that Senator Mitchell, renowned for his contribution to the Northern Ireland Peace Process, has given his name to, and officially launched, our Global Research Institute.”

Professor Hastings Donnan, Director of The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, said: “The Institute responds to the unprecedented global challenge of building a peaceful, secure and inclusive world, drawing on the unparalleled expertise at Queen’s on these issues. The Institute is distinctive internationally in linking peace-making with social transformation, giving attention to the need for governance reform of state institutions alongside cultural and social processes for healing in society.”

In addition to The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, the University’s other Global Research Institutes are: The Institute for Global Food Security; The Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology; and the Institute for Health Sciences.

Media inquiries to Claire Kelly, Communications Officer for Research at Queen’s University Belfast on 07772-649-694 and c.m.kelly@qub.ac.uk